Date: May 13, 2025
Contact: Leah Leszczynski, lleszczynski@miaflcio.org, 989.316.6044
DETROIT, MI — On Friday, May 9th, the Michigan AFL-CIO Workforce Development Institute hosted its Third Annual Workers Gala to celebrate putting thousands of Michiganders on paths to good-paying jobs and fulfilling careers while making Michigan’s workforce more resilient and our communities and state stronger.
“Registered apprenticeships are life changing — not only for the participants, but their families and communities as well,” said Chong-Anna CANFORA, Executive Director of the Michigan AFL-CIO Workforce Development Institute. “We are grateful to those who make WDI’s work possible and to everyone who attended the gala. Congratulations to all the nominees and awardees for their exceptional contributions to Michigan’s labor movement and workforce.”
“WDI’s programs are full of people facing extraordinary challenges — I have students who make it to class despite having to live out of their cars or work full-time jobs. In my class, it is not just about learning math — it is about my students learning to use math as a tool in their future careers. It’s also about my students gaining the confidence that they can change their own lives. I am humbled to be a part of the Access for All program, and proud of my students for their dedication to changing their lives,” said Larry Tolbert, who received the Access for Excellence award for his work as a math instructor in the Access for All program.
The gala was emceed by former State Representative and current Senior Executive Assistant Deputy Director for the Michigan Department of Transportation, Leslie Love, and included messages from Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II, Michigan AFL-CIO President Ron Bieber, and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, who provided the keynote address.
The award winners are as follows:
ACCESS TO EXCELLENCE AWARD
Larry Tolbert
Will Shanafelt
APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR
Cedric Shepherd
Esperanza Anton-Chavez
Juan Bullock
Jessica Jones
COURAGE TO SUCCEED AWARD
Southwest Region: Earl Davis
Southeast Region: Damon Johnson, Quaneda Real
KEY COLLABORATOR AWARD
Dr. Hernando Flowers – Barton Malow
Labor@Wayne (Wayne State University)
PRESIDENTIAL MERIT AWARD
Ron Rose, Former Executive Director of Workforce Development Institute
SOLIDARITY AWARDS
Labor Partners: Julia Boyce (OE Apprentice, Dan’s Excavating), Rebecca Peck (OE apprentice, Granite Kraemer)
Legislative Partners: State Rep. Phil Skaggs, State Senator John Cherry
Workforce partners: Louis Chapman (GM), Kelly Copus (GM), Shamayim “Mama Shu” Harris (Avalon Village)
WOMEN IN SKILLED TRADES LANE CHANGERS AWARD
Emily Budnick
Heather “Felicia” Austin
WORKFORCE CHAMPION AWARD
Congresswoman Debbie Dingell
“Each year at the Workers Gala, we celebrate the grit, determination, and boundless potential of Michigan’s newest skilled workers,” said Ron BIEBER, President of the Michigan AFL-CIO. “These graduates and apprentices are the future of Michigan’s labor movement, and thanks to the Michigan Workforce Development Institute, they’re entering the workforce with the tools they need to lead, build, and uplift entire communities. No matter the obstacles workers face, Michigan’s labor movement is grateful for WDI and its continued work.”
WDI’s programs provide services to job seekers and employers throughout the state of Michigan and are a collaborative effort between the labor movement, businesses, and dedicated instructors and staff. By providing pre-apprenticeship, apprenticeship, and occupational skills training, as well as career exploration and job placement services for youth and adults, WDI has helped open up pathways to prosperity in the skilled trades for people across the state. WDI’s programs have served more than 60,000 Michigan job seekers since its incorporation in 1988.
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